Enugu State Attorney-General’s Office Accused of Extortion in High-Profile Murder Case
A disturbing case has come to light in Enugu State, Nigeria, where the Attorney-General’s Office is accused of demanding a ₦50,000 “review fee” before accepting a petition for review in a murder case involving an innocent citizen, Mr. Godwin Odey. The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) have written to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, urging him to intervene in the matter.
Mr. Odey, a 27-year-old OND graduate, was arrested and charged with murder and unlawful possession of Indian hemp after police officers intercepted the vehicle he was traveling in during a stop-and-search operation in Obollo-Afor. However, subsequent video and photographic evidence, as well as witness statements, have confirmed that Mr. Odey was at a traditional marriage ceremony at the time of the alleged crime, clearly establishing his innocence.
The refusal by the Attorney-General’s Office to accept the petition without payment of the “review fee” has sparked outrage, with RULAAC and CRRAN accusing the office of extortion and violating the constitutional right of citizens to petition public authorities. The organizations are calling on Governor Mbah to order an immediate and impartial investigation into the conduct of the officers involved and to direct the Ministry of Justice to accept and act on the petition without further delay.
The letter read in part:
7th October 2025
His Excellency,
Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah,
Executive Governor of Enugu State,
Government House, Enugu.
Your Excellency,
RE: REQUEST FOR URGENT INTERVENTION IN THE CASE OF AN INNOCENT CITIZEN, MR. GODWIN ODEY, ARRAIGNED FOR MURDER AND UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF INDIAN HEMP – AND THE SHOCKING REFUSAL OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S OFFICE TO ACCEPT A PETITION WITHOUT PAYMENT OF A ₦50,000 “REVIEW FEE”
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) respectfully write to draw your urgent attention to two deeply troubling developments:
- The wrongful arrest, detention, and arraignment of an innocent citizen, Mr. Godwin Odey, on charges of murder and unlawful possession of Indian hemp (Charge Nos. MEN/566C/2025 and MEN/565C/2025), and
- The unprecedented refusal by the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Enugu State, to accept a formal petition requesting review of the case, on the pretext that a ₦50,000 “review fee” must first be paid to the State Government. Background to the Case
According to a petition by Barrister Olu Omotayo, President of CRRAN, Mr. Godwin Odey, a 27-year-old OND graduate of Banking and Finance from Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, and a dispatch rider with IFEX Courier, Abuja, travelled to Obollo-Afor, Enugu State, on Friday, 19th September 2025, to attend the traditional marriage of his friend, Mr. Morgan Paul Odeh, who was getting married to Miss Loveth Chisom Ikechukwu.
The marriage took place between 19th and 20th September 2025, and after the ceremony, Mr. Odey and his friends proceeded to the motor park to return to Abuja. Along the way, they were intercepted by police officers conducting a stop-and-search operation in Obollo-Afor. The police claimed they were searching for suspects linked to the murder of Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya, a Catholic priest shot dead the previous day, and alleged that Indian hemp was found in the vehicle.
All occupants were arrested and taken to the Enugu State Police Command, where, according to credible accounts, some were released after paying bribes, while Mr. Odey – unable to pay – was detained and later charged alongside strangers for murder and possession of Indian hemp.
Subsequent video and photographic evidence, as well as witness statements, have confirmed that Mr. Odey was at the traditional marriage throughout the time of the alleged crime, clearly establishing his innocence.
Refusal by the Attorney-General’s Office
Following the issuance of a Press Statement by RULAAC and CRRAN calling for an urgent review of this miscarriage of justice, a formal petition letter was duly addressed and sent to the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Enugu State.
Shockingly, according to a NOTICE dated 7th October 2025 from the Dispatch Clerk of Autostar Courier Services Limited, Enugu, the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice refused to accept the letter/document on the ground that a review fee of ₦50,000 must first be paid to the State Government before the letter could be received or acted upon, purportedly because “the case is a criminal one that has to do with murder.”
This development is unprecedented and deeply disturbing. It not only violates the constitutional right of citizens and civil society to petition public authorities, but also raises serious concerns about corruption, access to justice, and administrative integrity within the Ministry of Justice.
It is inconceivable that an office established to ensure justice and fairness would impose a monetary barrier before receiving a petition seeking redress in a criminal matter – especially one involving a potentially innocent citizen facing a capital charge.
Our Appeal
Your Excellency, we respectfully urge you to:
- Order an immediate and impartial investigation into the conduct of the officers in the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, particularly regarding the reported demand for payment before accepting a public petition.
- Direct the Ministry of Justice to accept and act on the petition filed by RULAAC and CRRAN for a review of the case of Mr. Godwin Odey without further delay.
- Institute disciplinary and administrative action against any officials found culpable of extortion or misconduct.
- Ensure a prompt and transparent review of the entire case to prevent a miscarriage of justice and secure the release of Mr. Odey if found innocent.
Your decisive intervention in this matter will reaffirm your administration’s commitment to justice, accountability, and good governance in Enugu State. It will also send a strong signal that justice cannot and must never be for sale.
Please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.
Yours faithfully,
Okechukwu Nwanguma
Executive Director,
Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)
Barrister Olu Omotayo
President,
Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN)
